The Adviser as an Educator

Principals annually ask teachers to sponsor the activities of an extra-curricular group as part of the "official teaching duties."

It is important to realize that:

     • school systems actively believe in student activities as an effective, participatory learning vehicle.

     • every teacher can perform a vital function in the educational success of the program for youngsters outside the classroom as well as within their given academic areas.

     • specific teachers are asked to assume co-curricular responsibilities because of special abilities, opportunities, talents or skills.

Teachers must be aware of the value which their "non-academic" contact with student groups represents.  The activities program, by its very nature, is in constant flux. General purposes are constant, but the techniques for realizing these purposes are continually changing. Many activities have been re-directed to meet new situations currently facing young people, our culture and the entire student activity concept.

Effective Advisors Will Develop Skills Towards:

     • providing educational foundations for various student activities at all levels.

     • appraising and revitalizing activity programs and providing the structural framework for further development in the light of current student needs, based upon student input.

     • to make materials, methods and policies available to students which apply to the specific area of extra-curricular offerings within the school.


Diverse talents and perspectives brought by members of the teaching staff contribute to this dynamic, relevant learning system.  There are inspirational references to help establish the goals, to insure the educational framework and to allow for those processes of learning which are fundamental to the activities concept - a concept which is uniquely American, responsibly educational and capable of magnificent achievement when understood and properly directed - by an adviser.